BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) 07-01, STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGIES INTRODUCTION The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Strategic Technology  Office (STO) is soliciting proposals under this BAA for the performance of  research, development, design, and testing that directly supports STO. This  includes Space and Near-Space Sensors and Systems; Strategic and Tactical  Networks; Information Assurance; Counter Underground Facilities; Weapons of  Mass Destruction (WMD) Defense; Small Unit Operations; Maritime Operations;  and Core Strategic Technologies. TECHNICAL TOPIC AREAS Research supporting any of STO's broad mission objectives identified in the  Introduction above may be submitted under this BAA. Topic areas of specific  interest include, but are not limited to, the following.  I. Space and Near-Space Sensors and Systems a. Active damping and smart materials for precision control of space  structures b. Concepts for space systems, sensors, structures, components and  materials c. Concepts supporting affordable access - and thus proliferation - of  high-performance space sensors and systems d. Extremely large space apertures and structures, including large space  structures that have extremely small payload volumes (e.g., rigidized  inflatables, isogrid composites, etc.) e. Global tailored tactical surveillance  f. High performance microsat and picosat systems g. Innovative sensor systems for space applications including extremely  large, lightweight and stowable aperture technologies h. Large distributed array remote sensing systems, both space-based and  ground-based, for space object location and identification i. Lightweight and low-mass active/passive membranes j. Next generation power generation systems, including electrodynamic and  momentum tethers, and advanced solar systems k. Next generation space technologies and systems l. Novel space-based sensor modalities and systems m. Novel systems and enabling technologies for high-resolution, deep sub- canopy imaging n. Remote optical sensing technologies o. Technologies supporting next-generation tactical space operations,  including rapid access, space situational awareness, space, robust anti-jam  SATCOM, and persistent tactical grade sensing approaches p. Wide-area urban tracking architectures II. Strategic and Tactical Networks a. 100 Gbps free space optical communication system b. Applications, architecture, control and management, and hardware  systems for multi-terabit, fiber-optic core, edge, and mobile-platform networks c. Approaches to interconnect wave-division multiplexed backbone  communications infrastructures with IP-based metropolitan networks (may  include route discovery/distribution and new addressing schemes) d. Approaches to make tactical networks auto-configuring for both voice  and data with the goal of reducing the manpower requirements (may include the  complete replacement of IP as the underlying data protocol) e. Hybrid passive/active RADAR systems that are agile over available  bandwidth f. Information and communication technologies to enable "power to the  edge" for air, land, space, and maritime systems g. Innovative urban sensing systems and networked architectures h. Miniature, low power sensors and networks i. Network centric warfare, including novel approaches to the  development, implementation, and control of networked weapons systems j. Network storage and caching protocols for reducing long-haul  communications loads k. New approaches to self-forming, wireless, mesh networks of over 10,000  devices with high throughput (at least 50 Mbps across the network between two  endpoints). This may include work on multiple frequencies, graph  partitioning, and subnet allocations. l. Novel approaches for the development, implementation, and control of  heterogeneous networks of human decision makers and human-operated or  autonomous sensors and weapons m. Novel approaches that enable mission-centric network-enabled real-time  service-oriented architectures (SOA). Problems of interest include, but are  not restricted to, dynamic optimization of the allocation of network services  to the tactical edge based on volatile mission objectives, dynamic SOA  application architecture, automated service-oriented collaborative  verification and validation, and dynamic instantiation and allocation of  mobile ad hoc networking technologies that optimize the implementation of  mission-oriented services. n. Novel approaches to effect collaboration among human decision makers  in heterogeneous, coalition environments o. Novel approaches to monitor, visualize and recommend alternative  courses of action in the management and defense of massive, heterogeneous wide- area networks (5 million nodes) p. Novel still-image and video wireless transport communications  technology q. Novel technologies to enable tactical, operational, and strategic  level distributed operations r. Reconfigurable transceiver analog front end technology s. Robust wireless military communication network architecture and system  technology to enable graceful degradation under cross-layer fixes t. Signature reduction (low probability of detection/intercept) u. Size-weight-power reduced soldier electronics and communications  devices v. Wideband THz communications and networking system technology III. Information Assurance a. Autonomous protection or reconstitution of large network environments  from cyber attacks b. Computer forensic and software protection technologies c. Developing secure systems from untrusted components d. High-speed (40 Gbps to 100 Tbps) optical encryption systems that  function correctly with fiber amplified cable systems e. Low-cost military grade encryption mechanisms/devices f. Novel approaches to derive confidence of identity of remote  information, users, processes, and devices in dynamic, untrusted, networked  environments g. Novel approaches to measure, compare, and assess alternative  information operations tools and effects h. Novel approaches to quantify binary code security i. Novel methods to deter cyber adversaries j. Novel microprocessor/computing architectures to support secure  computing k. Trustworthy computing in mobile environments l. Wide area network firewalls and proxies, capable of dealing with  asymmetric data flows and speeds in excess of 5 Gbps IV. Counter Underground Facilities a. Close-in and standoff sensor concepts b. Determining structural layout or locations of specific vulnerabilities c. Development and demonstration of technologies to find unknown  facilities, on both strategic and tactical timescales d. Identification of facility function e. Monitoring pace of activity f. Enhancing post-attack bomb damage assessment (BDA) g. Exploitation algorithms and signal processing h. Exploitation of novel observables or substantially improved methods of  detecting/analyzing observables, including active source methods i. Improved communications across rugged terrain among assets, and for  exfiltration uplinks j. Improved deployable ground and airborne sensors k. New methods for characterizing activities associated with tunnels and  caves, to include small and unimproved sites, in both urban and rural areas l. New methods for sensor and system modeling V. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Defense a. Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and environmental sensors  and deconflict b. Defense against chemical, biological, and radiological weapons c. Sensing approaches for material identification VI. Small Unit Operations a. Advanced explosives for special operations b. Advanced sighting systems for tactical operations c. Detection of indirectly fired mortars and RPGs d. Direction finding capabilities for urban applications e. GPS-free guidance and navigation  f. Low cost (